From the Liveblog of
Saturday, January 23, 2021
Saudi TV reports missile or drone intercepted over Riyadh
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleDUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Saudi Arabia says it intercepted an apparent missile or drone attack over its capital, Riyadh, amid the kingdom’s yearslong war against neighboring Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Social media users post video of what appears to be an explosion in the air over Riyadh. Saudi state TV quotes authorities in the kingdom acknowledging the interception.
Yahia Sarei, a military spokesman for the Houthis, says in a brief statement that the rebels had not carried out attacks on Saudi Arabia in the past 24 hours. The US Embassy in Riyadh issues a warning to Americans calling on them to “stay alert in case of additional future attacks.”
The Houthis have held Yemen’s capital and the north, where the majority of the population lives, since September 2014. Saudi Arabia and its allies launched a war against them in March 2015 in support of Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
The war has been mired in a stalemate for years. Riyadh has been targeted in sporadic missile attacks in that time, while the Houthis also have launched missile and drone strikes. The Saudi-led coalition has faced widespread international criticism for airstrikes that have killed hundreds of civilians and hit non-military targets, including schools, hospitals and wedding parties.
Western experts, Saudi Arabia and the US say Iran has supplied arms, including ballistic missiles, to the Houthis. Iran denies that, although devices in the weapons link back to Tehran.
The Times of Israel Community.